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Former Gators Tebow, Cooper team up again
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PHILADELPHIA » Tim Tebow and Riley Cooper were roommates at Florida, where they won two national championships together.
They’re locker room neighbors with the Eagles.
Some things don’t change.
“He’s a good roommate,” Tebow recalled. “He was, uh, cleaner than me. He was always good. He’s definitely cleaner than me.”
Tebow won the Heisman Trophy at Florida and in 2010 was drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos. After beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, his career has been a mess.
Tebow hasn’t had a team the past two seasons.
Cooper, on the other hand, was a third-day draft pick who almost fumbled his career away by spouting a racial epithet two summers ago. Humbler, repentant, Cooper had a career season that earned him a big contract.
Once stuck in Tebow’s global shadow, Cooper is helping his bud get back into the league and in all likelihood, the spotlight. Philosophers would call them Yin and Yang.
“He’s definitely a help whenever he can be,” Tebow said. “We’re not always in the same meetings but we’re just talking through it, or this is what it’s like, or this is how it kind of goes. It’s been good. He’s been working really hard and I’m trying to improve and get better like we all have and he’s been doing a great job.”
When Tebow left Florida, he was the Southeastern Conference’s all-time leader in career passing efficiency (170.8) and completion percentage (67.1). His touchdown to interception ratio was 5.5 to 1. Tebow also established SEC marks for a quarterback.
In the red zone Tebow was money. He set career SEC records with 57 rushing touchdowns and 145 team touchdowns.
That’s what the Eagles remember. And while it’s premature to put Tebow on the 53-man opening day roster, Eagles fans could be screaming for the dimension he could provide once the preseason games begin Sunday.
“I got home, I don’t know, a couple nights ago and it was late, and I’m catching up on the college football stuff, so the SEC Channel, they had a bowl game, Florida playing Michigan,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “And they’re standing there in empty (backfield) and Tim got the crap knocked out of him but he was making plays and throwing it to Percy Harvin. There was all this crazy stuff where it looks like it shouldn’t work and all of a sudden they score a touchdown. What Tim can do is on tape.”
What Tebow has done at camp is much more subtle. The 6-3, 250-pound veteran has to break off runs before contact. The option component was a big part of his game.
“Well, you like to make plays for your team,” Tebow said. “So, any way that’s possible, whatever the scenario, you try. But you’re a Tim Tebow makes a throw during Eagles training camp Wednesday.
quarterback first. You want to play from the pocket and if that breaks down, then try to have an opportunity for your team.”
Just the image of Tebow, who still has a burst, running over a linebacker will thrill the basic Eagles fan.
Just the thought of Tebow running Chip Kelly’s zone read, possibly in the red zone, is enough to cause trepidation to the opponents who have to defend it.
Cooper has been around Tebow long enough to notice subtle changes in his throwing mechanics. The motion is different, the release quicker and the decision-making on time.
“I definitely think he’s improved,” Cooper said. “I played with him for four years so I know what he’s capable of. I know he’s a
heck of a quarterback, a heck of a teammate. I’m anxious to see him perform again.”
Tebow, starting over at 27, is enthusiastic about the opportunity. Once he hears the opening whistle Sunday, the instincts will take over.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Tebow said. “It’s always nice to be able to play against someone else. That will be exciting and be fun.”
Noting the non-contact nature of training camp, especially for quarterbacks, Tebow mentioned what is most attractive about the games.
It’s the chance, he said, “to take off the red jersey.” That’s Tim Tebow. And his college roomie will be there to help get him through it.